Town quay revamp design chosen by Lymington residents

THE public’s favourite design for the revamp of Lymington Town Quay’s ageing toilet block is a new flat-roof structure offering visitors views across the river.

The contemporary scheme was preferred by 81% of more than 220 who responded during the recent week-long consultation led by New Forest District Council. The alternative of a pitched-roof building failed to find much support.

The toilets are a key feature of the £700,000 improvement project which also involves cutting the number of short-stay parking bays north of the block from 30 to 18 to create more space beside the sea wall.

The 24 long-stay spaces to the south would remain, and a more defined pavement laid along the car park side of Quay Road to improve safety and stop cars reversing onto the street.

Cllr Alison Hoare, NFDC’s cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, is spearheading the joint project which also involves funding from the town council and the harbour commissioners.

Cllr Hoare said: “It is clear we now have a project that the community would like to see built. They have also made it clear that in this special location it needs to be of a quality and standard that is appropriate.

“Our task with our partners is now to develop a project that both meets these objectives and is affordable.”

The next step is to draw up plans for a formal application which is due to be submitted to NFDC in March. It is expected to include a mirrored-steel art installation at ground level reflecting river views.

The new toilet block will be nearly 25% bigger and contain eight toilet cubicles on the south side, including disabled facilities. On the other will be eight en suite-style showers for use by sailors moored at the harbour commissioners’ new pontoons.

Snug Architects will deliver the detailed proposals following further analysis of the comments from residents. Asked whether they wanted a flat roof and if it should be accessible to people, 81% of respondents said yes to both.

Architect Paul Bulkeley said: “The consultation has identified clear support for an inhabited flat roof. We will now be working up a more detailed proposal that seeks to balance the community’s wider priorities and concerns.

“This is an exciting opportunity to create a building the whole community can be proud of.”

As reported in the A&T, the scheme has proved controversial, with complaints last year of “behind the scenes” talks before the process was thrown open to the public after the bodies involved failed to find agreement.

There have also been calls for a more ambitious piazza-style revamp which would have removed more parking spaces.

A spokesperson for Lymington and Pennington Town Council said the consultation results showed “how important this area is to the community” and welcomed “the beginning of a positive change” at the quay.

A decision on the scheme is expected to be made by councillors on NFDC’s planning committee in June, after the standard six-week public consultation.

If agreed, the contract will be tendered and work will start on site at the end of September 2020, with the opening in the spring of 2021.

To find out more about the project go to www.newforest.gov.uk/lymquay